5'9"  11st.7lb.
b. Rishton 29 April 1898
d. Blackburn 11 October 1965
 

Debut  27 December 1919 (21y 242d) Final Game 7 February 1920 (21y 215d)
CAREER: Moss St School;Altom Street Wesleyans;Accrington Stanley '14;Blackburn Rovers Apr'15 (am) Aug'19 (pro);Aberdare Athletic Jul'21 (free)[84];Reading May'24[202];Brighton & Hove Albion Jun'30[37];York City Ju'32-'33[7].
HONOURS 3 Div S Ch (Reading) ’26.Welsh Cp los (Aberdare) ’23.
 

FL         5 apps
FAC      2 apps
Total    7 apps
Minutes per goal  39
Longest unbeaten 129m First conceded 6m
Most goals one game 5

The son of Walter Albert Duckworth, he was born in James Street, Rishton but the family moved to Larkhill Street. Walter later became secretary of the Blackburn Weavers’ Protection Association. Joseph remained in Rishton for a time with his married sister, Elizabeth Brindle but he joined the family and attended Moss Street School. Signed after playing locally he had a great deal of misfortune. He improved considerably after the war to replace Crabtree as Robinson's debut but when he was given the opportunity to deputise he slipped in the street. This caused the club to sign the great Ronnie Sewell and condemned Duckworth to isolated appearances. Although he lacked height he compensated by being fearless and moving to Aberdare he played for three seasons and won a Welsh Cup winners' medal. He went on to make over 200 league appearances for Reading and with appearances for Brighton and York brought his total to 335. He returned to live in Blackburn and died at his home in Goldhey Street.